Thursday, December 30, 2021

A December Visit to the Ditch

(A quick note -- as you know, unless you are a no-reply blogger and I don't have email contact for you, I usually reply personally to your comments. If you don't hear from me for past comments, I just realize blogger turned off notifications for me! I think it's fixed!)

Until just recently, we've had no snow -- or very little. That makes walking at the ditch a little bit easier! Most of the color is gone, but with the beautiful sunsets and a few spots of bright, it's still lovely in it's own way.

There is indeed some color. Check out the red berries on the tree.


The branches may be bare but the berries are like tiny, cheery ornaments!


 Then there is the blue of the water.


These ducks add their own bit of color to the pond!


There's even still some green near the path!


And since we're talking color, I dressed for the occasion!


But for my money, there are two winners in the color competition!


There's this lovely lad!


He was flying solo on my walk (usually a female is nearby). I was grateful he took time to pose.


And then there were the ducks in the sunset.


Can you beat that?


I officially declare it a tie!

Sharing with:      Pink Saturday  /   Saturday's Critters   /  Share Your Style   

53 comments:

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

So beautiful! I am one of those people that think winter is one of the prettiest times of the year. The colors are so subtle and soft and the bare trees are like lace against the sky. It's so nice that you have this pretty place to enjoy in all seasons. Hope your new year is full of peace, joy and good health! x K

ashok said...

Lovely post to end the year...have a great year ahead Jean

Joyful said...

Simply gorgeous Jeanie. There is a lot of colour, even in winter. Happy New Year to you and Rick!

Linda said...

You have the best smile ever! Great pictures.

Linda said...

You have the best smile ever! Great pictures.

Valerie-Jael said...

What beautiful colours and photos Nothing like the sight of sun on the water, and then birds, berries and ducks as well, so wonderful Happy New Year, stay healthy. Love the photo of you, too. Hugs, Valerie

Sue in Suffolk said...

What beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing.
Wishing you the best of years in 2022 and thank you for the comment on my post

eileeninmd said...

Gorgeous sunset captures. I love your pretty Cardinal and the ducks at the ditch. Cute selfie and beautiful colorful photos. I wish you and your family all the best in 2022, a very happy and healthy New Year!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am delighted to see The Ditch in winter, Jeanie. Every season has its charm, as you have discovered for yourself. Those berries look like a feast waiting to be eaten by Cedar Waxwings, so keep your eyes wide open for them. They may raise the bar in your colour competition to a whole new level!

Victoria Zigler said...

Sounds like a lovely Winter walk at the ditch.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a lovely place to walk! I see you were bundled up.

Anvilcloud said...

Nice photos. The one with the berries has a lot of colour in addition to the berries — blue, yellow, a bit of orange, and even a wee bit of green. I like it.

R's Rue said...

Beautiful. Happy 2022

Marie Rayner said...

Thank you for taking us on your walk Jeanie and for sharing the "colour" in your life with us. All the best to you and a very Happy New Year! May 2022 bless us all! xoxo

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh Jeanie, what a gift it was for you to see the red Cardinal. This is such a spectacular bird. It's nice that you were able to walk to the ditch and see some nature. I've been wanting to go to the creek to see what it looks like all covered in snow, but the thing is that it's hard to drive there when it's snowing. The mallard ducks are always so pretty with their green head. And the sunset with the reflection of the trees in the water is lovely as ever. That's a cute picture of you. You look happy. Nature has a way of doing that to us.

Happy New Year, dear Jeanie.

~Sheri

La Table De Nana said...

Such a HAPPY face:) Happy New Year Jeanie!

Julierose said...

What lovely photos of your walking path! Cardinals are such a bright spot in our Wintery landscape; lately we've actually had a pair of bluebirds--in that unbelievable bluest of blues against the gray skies and deep green cedars...
I wish you and yours a very Happy and healthy New Year.
Hugs Julierose

Lynne said...

Lovely post Jeanie . . .
The Cardinal Red is indeed a treat throughout the days/months.
We are fortunate, there are places in the west/north west that don’t have Cardinal visits.
Wishing you good health, calm, inspiration, joy, discovery, laughter in your 2022 days . . .
love
lynne

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Those photos are stunning!!! We have had the weirdest month. We got a ton of snow then it got up to around 50 on Christmas so I went for a really long walk with Will which felt amazing. We’ve had a little more snow this week and now are entering a deep freeze with a high of -2 tomorrow! So I have not been out for many walks or runs this month. This is my least fave time of year by far. I don’t mind snow but the extreme cold is horrible. I am glad you’ve been able to get out, though! Those cardinals are gorgeous! My favorite bird for sure!!

Happy New Year!!

Marilyn Miller said...

I love your walks at the ditch, especially with the color of my favorite bird. Thanks for sharing the cardinal with us, I miss seeing them. They are so gorgeous.

The French Hutch said...

Jeanie, so glad you took us along on your walk. Yes, there is much to admire and appreciate here, The sky and water are beautiful and the red berries are always delight with the stark winter landscape. Red berries are not the only beauty I see, the gorgeous red cardinal takes my breath away! I'm so happy he stopped long enough for a pose. What a beautiful and happy smile you have.
Happy New Year sweet friend.........

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

I love your ditch!

Joanne Huffman said...

It's always fun to join you on a trip around the Ditch.

Sharon in Las Cruces NM said...

Indeed, The Ditch is great hunting grounds with you and your camera.
Nature is in a resting time in preparing for the Spring. colors are just so beautiful. May your New Year be filled with all that makes you happy Jeanie!! p.s. it is raining today in Las Cruces, I have a big pot of veggie/chix soup on the stove.

bobbie said...

What a magical place! Thanks for showing it to us all ~

Miss Val's Creations said...

How beautiful Jeanie! I love the pink skies reflecting on the water. That is a handsome cardinal. We love watching the local cardinal couple and how they interact. It is amusing to observe their personalities.

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Hi Jeanie, I always enjoy your walks along the ditch. The photo at sunset is gorgeous with all its purple and pink. And the photo of you, dressed for the occasion, and the cardinal are grand. It seems strange to me to see photos of Michigan in late December with no snow. I am sure it does to you also. Happy New Year and enjoy these winter days!

Pam Richardson said...

Beautiful photos and a very lovely walk at the ditch. The mallard and cardinal are outstanding! Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Jeanie and Rick from Australia
Love Cath

William Kendall said...

Beautiful shots!

Prims By The Water said...

Beautiful colors including yourself! I saw some swans in the river today. Guess they chose to stay here. Janice

DUTA said...

Your pictures show us Nature in all its colorful splendor1
and yet, it's you the human being, who 'steals the show', with your warm smile and friendly face.

anno said...

What a lovely walk! Like your first commenter, I sometimes enjoy winter outings just for the "bare bones" view they offer. How lucky to see the cardinal (great shot)! Beautiful, radiant color in every shot. And an important lesson: pay attention... you might be surprised by what you find.

Happy New Year!

Pam said...

Looks like a good adventure out. Happy New Year.

Carola Bartz said...

Those are indeed beautiful colors, and that cardinal beats them all, of course. Beautiful atmospheric images. Thank you, Jeanie!

Mae Travels said...

What a lovely set of images to see out the old year. I hope your 2022 will be very colorful and fun too.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Ricki Treleaven said...

Love your cute pic! You’re adorable! I also love cardinals. They’re my favorite bird. I’m happy that you’re enjoying such pretty weather. We’re watching the UGA v Michigan game.

DeniseinVA said...

Beautiful scenery Jeanie and always enjoy seeing the face behind the blogging, in what looks like a very pretty outfit. Lovely to meet you face to face! Super photos of your cardinal too. Happy New Year!

My name is Erika. said...

I'm jealous you can get out and easily walk as you don't have snow. We have that little bit of snow then rain turned it to crunchy ice. I love seeing your color and those gorgeous skies. That's one of the best things about winter are the beautiful skies. This is a great post Jeanie. Happy new year to you. I hope 2022 is happy, healthy and wonderful 2022. hUgs-Erika

Priscilla King said...

No way I could beat that! Sometimes this computer won't open photo essay posts, but yours are lovely when I can see them.

shoreacres said...

The ditch was looking especially festive on this walk. Of course the cardinal's a bright spot, but those sunset photos are scrumptious. Here's to a more colorful and happy year ahead!

Iris Flavia said...

Thank you for such a colorful start - especially on what just starts to be a grey day. And nice to see you again :-)

Anonymous said...

Delightful walking path, thanks for the photos! Beautiful all, especially the selfie! Happy New Year, V.

roughterrain crane said...

Happy New Year 2022!

Thelma said...

Nice colours. I love the woods in Winter.
Happy new year, 2022 with joy, health and happiness.

Barb said...

Winter at the Ditch is beautiful. Even in my white world, I see subtle colors. I wish we had cardinals here - the males are so cheery-looking with their splash of red. We have high Covid #'s now in our county, so we continue to isolate and mask when in public. I hope we see an end to it soon. Happy 2022, Jeanie and Rick!

Divers and Sundry said...

Your water views and those sunsets are beautiful! Say "hello" to the cardinals for me :)

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

Wonderful winter sightings from the ditch. Nice sightings of the Mallards and the pretty Cardinal. The berries do add some lovely color, they are like cheery ornaments. The sunsets are gorgeous too. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great new week ahead.

Lowcarb team member said...

I think these are all lovely photographs.
Whatever the season nature provides such beauty.
I especially enjoyed the sunsets, they were beautiful.

Lovely to see your photograph too.

Happy New Year Wishes.

All the best Jan

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

Beautiful colors of the season, Jeanie!

Gayla said...

Beauty! Winter is so gorgeous! I think your skills as a photographer are great. It's not easy to capture the spirit of Winter light, but you did it! You look fabulous and happy! Glad to see it!

Bohemian said...

Finally getting around to catching up and READING some Blogs. You finished out the Year beautifully, capturing the Best parts of it. The Holidays for me this year were underwhelming and I think Pandemic altered so much of how we Celebrate and what weighed heavy on our Psyches.

French Ethereal said...

Jeanie, as always I am happy to share your lovely birds... You beat me to the punch getting over here to say hello and yes, I did feature your post at Share Your Style #332 this evening! ;) My favorite places to walk here in North Texas is around any of the lakes and manmade reservoirs because of the ducks, loons, cranes, geese and turtles... They just relax me!

Happy Wednesday and I hope the weather is being good to you folks up there! Arctic winds are swooping back down this evening for the rest of the week.

Hugs,
Barb :)

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